Is Smackdown REALLY starting to suck?

[Guest P-Any]

Is it just me or is SmackDown REALLY starting to suck!? Granted, it has pretty much always been made to look as the inferior WWE brand, but since this last draft it is almost not worth watching anymore! Between the lack of good writting and the mediocrity of most of the characters is it even worth watching anymore?

 

I have always been an advocate of SD and have defended it, however, my number 1 argument, the Cruiser Weight Division, is now basically gone. What chance do smaller guys with good wrestling skills have now to make it in WWE? They are not allowed to display their wrestling talents, with the ban on almost all hi risk moves, so how else are the expected to get over?

 

The programs they are making are running their courses and becoming stale rather quickly. I mean how long can you keep Jordan looking like a bum and getting beat in under a minute in EVERY match before it becomes stale? How many more feuds can JBL have before people realize the only thing good about him are his promos? Why don't the writters push the talent that the fans are actually behind? People like Christian and Orton who are more or less in my opinion mid-carding at this point and were the only postives for SD during the draft. Should they not be in the title hunt? Could they not have used Orton blaming Batista for his shoulder injury on RAW as the spring board to a Batista/Orton fued? Maybe I'm just stating the obvious, anyway its sad to see SD take the nose dive it has lately and I hope they recover somehow and soon.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

It isn't very good, but it is still better than RAW. There you have Carlito, Flair & Masters in prominent positions and guys like Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko filling out the rest of the card, while Shelton Benjamin is buried.

 

Eddy is better than Orton, so I'd rather see him main event, but Orton's in the second program from the top and just beat Undertaker, so I certainly wouldn't say that he's midcard right now.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

One of the major reasons why SD sucked last year is because they had lack of star power that was not given during the last draft since they were given midocre talent. They stole Benoit and Edge. Angle was injured. Undertaker was part timer, Lesnar had left which meant JBL got the push that he did since HHH didn't bother to help out with the show at all.

 

But with the last draft, SD got Benoit back. They lost Angle, but got Orton in return. Lost Cena, but got Batista. The Undertaker is appearing more often. Simon Dean and William Regal are there. Another benefit is the use of new talent such Ken Kennedy, MNM, and the Mexicools.

 

So compared to the dark ages of 2004, I think SD has improved quite a bit, in some ways even being better than RAW which is going back to being the same old shit now that Gonzo has returned.

[res37618 0]

I've always thought that SmackDown was treated as the inferior brand, and I was under the assumption that was never the intention, but that's how it is. Personally, I would love to see UPN drop SmackDown entirely, and it find its way to USA for a Wed. or Thurs. night airing. I'd actually love to see SmackDown go live, but I know that will probably never happen due to the costs of producing two live shows per week. I was wishy-washy on the whole brand split to begin with but it's honestly grown on me, so I really don't want to see it end, at least without a mega-angle to blow it off.

 

I think SD! viewership would increase slightly with a move to USA. While UPN probably can claim to reach more households overall, I don't think that UPN has been all that accomodating in promoting the show. I think that the proper promotion that USA would give it would ultimately help the cause (they seem to be really "up" on promoting RAW, even on NBC and other Universal outlets). However, I don't know if USA is devoted enough to WWE to let it have 5 hours of programming per week. In the grand scheme of things, that's not much, but I know that some other lesser-viewed programming actually drives in more ad revenue than WWE.

[cabbageboy 0]

Truthfully, I worry about Smackdown's future. In fact I think that it is being buried deliberately by UPN on Friday nights to so devalue the show that no one else will pick it up next year.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Vince didn't care enough to improve the quality of Smackdown for well over three years. Why should we as fans care if they survive past UPN or not?

[Guest P-Any]

One of the major reasons why SD sucked last year is because they had lack of star power that was not given during the last draft since they were given midocre talent.  They stole Benoit and Edge.  Angle was injured.  Undertaker was part timer, Lesnar had left which meant JBL got the push that he did since HHH didn't bother to help out with the show at all.

 

But with the last draft, SD got Benoit back.  They lost Angle, but got Orton in return.  Lost Cena, but got Batista.  The Undertaker is appearing more often.  Simon Dean and William Regal are there.  Another benefit is the use of new talent such Ken Kennedy, MNM, and the Mexicools.

 

So compared to the dark ages of 2004, I think SD has improved quite a bit, in some ways even being better than RAW which is going back to being the same old shit now that Gonzo has returned.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I agree that The Mexicools are great but w/o their high flying, they are gonna have a hard time getting over. Also MNM is great and I was happy to see they used them correctly at first by giving them the belts. But now they are being held back because for some reason a washed up animal and never been (not even a has been) Hiedenrich got the belts! And Ken Kenddedy is pretty good and thus far they are using him correctly so I agree with you there. We will see what happens though.

[Fro 0]

The bottom of the card is very talented and great over there, but they get zero time on Smackdown.

 

There also could be a decent tag division (Mexicools, FBI, Regal/Burchill, MNM, Kendrick/London, OLD).

[chaosrage 0]

What do you mean, starting? The last time Smackdown was worth watching was probably in 2002.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

It isn't very good, but it is still better than RAW.  There you have Carlito, Flair & Masters in prominent positions and guys like Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko filling out the rest of the card, while Shelton Benjamin is buried.

 

Eddy is better than Orton, so I'd rather see him main event, but Orton's in the second program from the top and just beat Undertaker, so I certainly wouldn't say that he's midcard right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Same here. I'll take SD/Velocity over Raw/Heat.

 

The only exception to the above is that I like seeing Conway on Raw. He can work & talk. If he'd only get steady mic time and exposure on Raw, I'm pretty confidant he'd be getting over. Go back to the WWE.com video he did & play off that for his character ("The 'Con-Way' is walking into a bar, going up to the prettiest girl, and someone says 'hey, she has a boyfriend', and I say 'she's about to trade up'. The 'Con-Way' is doing what you want, when you want."). Give him mic time to do stuff like that. I think he also mentioned that he's "99.5% fat-free" in the video, so work that in, too. That'd work worlds better than the announcers saying "that's the Con-Way!" at the end of his matches. I'd still like to see a Conway/Benjamin feud, as I've really enjoyed the matches those 2 have had against each other (except for their last Heat match).

 

It's a shame the Raw midcard is so barren, as Conway could make for a pretty entertaining midcard guy. It's a shame they didn't move him to SD in the draft, as he'd fit in well in the US Title scene.

[Youth N Asia 0]

What bothers me most of Smackdown is that they won't let it be as good as RAW. Anytime Austin, Hogan, Foley, or anyone else of importance show up it's always on RAW. They won't even try and throw Smackdown a bone.

 

Also didn't help that they took the most over face in the company off the Smackdown roster.

[Guest P-Any]

It isn't very good, but it is still better than RAW.  There you have Carlito, Flair & Masters in prominent positions and guys like Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko filling out the rest of the card, while Shelton Benjamin is buried.

 

Eddy is better than Orton, so I'd rather see him main event, but Orton's in the second program from the top and just beat Undertaker, so I certainly wouldn't say that he's midcard right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Same here. I'll take SD/Velocity over Raw/Heat.

 

The only exception to the above is that I like seeing Conway on Raw. He can work & talk. If he'd only get steady mic time and exposure on Raw, I'm pretty confidant he'd be getting over. Go back to the WWE.com video he did & play off that for his character ("The 'Con-Way' is walking into a bar, going up to the prettiest girl, and someone says 'hey, she has a boyfriend', and I say 'she's about to trade up'. The 'Con-Way' is doing what you want, when you want."). Give him mic time to do stuff like that. I think he also mentioned that he's "99.5% fat-free" in the video, so work that in, too. That'd work worlds better than the announcers saying "that's the Con-Way!" at the end of his matches. I'd still like to see a Conway/Benjamin feud, as I've really enjoyed the matches those 2 have had against each other (except for their last Heat match).

 

It's a shame the Raw midcard is so barren, as Conway could make for a pretty entertaining midcard guy. It's a shame they didn't move him to SD in the draft, as he'd fit in well in the US Title scene.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

See I don't think Conway is that great. I will say that with his new "character" I can see where he would be a useful and entertaining mid-card heel. HOWEVER, they appear to be giving him Randy Orton's "Legend Killer" gimmick now, as he is feuding with the legends since the Raw Homecoming. That I think is dumb and just plain lazy. They already have a character with that gimmick, why reuse the same one? ESPECIALLY while Randy is still currently using the "Legend Killer" gimmick!

[Guest P-Any]

What bothers me most of Smackdown is that they won't let it be as good as RAW. Anytime Austin, Hogan, Foley, or anyone else of importance show up it's always on RAW. They won't even try and throw Smackdown a bone.

 

Also didn't help that they took the most over face in the company off the Smackdown roster.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I agree 100% on both accounts!

[Guest Kamehameha]

A Show with Batista, Undertaker, Eddie, Orton, Benoit, Rey and Legion Of Doom is never to be Second rate!

 

Im shocked at how stupid people in this forums are. Take account that SD! have the future of the business (Orton, Rey, Batista) ect. is never going to play second Banana to raw. are you people blind. Smackdown owned raw almost all of 2005. How will sd die and all the other bullshit you people come up with is beyond believe.

 

SmackDown owns.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Can you say Legion of Doom 2005 with a straight face?

[Guest Kamehameha]

My Point is that the IWC think they know it all like when a company will go out of busines and what they should do next. "And worse of all they think SD! is second rate. HAHAH Peatheic. Raw is only flagship becaus eit was the first show. That doesnt mean its better.

[Guest P-Any]

A Show with Batista, Undertaker, Eddie, Orton, Benoit, Rey and  Legion Of Doom is never to be Second rate!

 

Im shocked at how stupid people in this forums are. Take account that SD! have the future of the business (Orton, Rey, Batista) ect. is never going to play second Banana to raw. are you people blind. Smackdown owned raw almost all of 2005. How will sd die and all the other bullshit you people come up with is beyond believe.

 

SmackDown owns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Define "future" considering Batista is like 39 and so wont be able to carry any torch long term. And LOD? Please you are mocking the memory of Hawk, just as WWE is, by considering the not so dynamic duo of Heidenrich and Animal the Legion of Doom!

[Jericholic82 0]

My Point is that the IWC think they know it all like when a company will go out of busines and what they should do next. "And worse of all they think SD! is second rate. HAHAH Peatheic. Raw is only flagship becaus eit was the first show. That doesnt mean its better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The IWC-bitter, annoying, and overbearing? THE HELL YOU SAY!

SURELY YOU JEST!

[Guest Kamehameha]

A Show with Batista, Undertaker, Eddie, Orton, Benoit, Rey and  Legion Of Doom is never to be Second rate!

 

Im shocked at how stupid people in this forums are. Take account that SD! have the future of the business (Orton, Rey, Batista) ect. is never going to play second Banana to raw. are you people blind. Smackdown owned raw almost all of 2005. How will sd die and all the other bullshit you people come up with is beyond believe.

 

SmackDown owns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Define "future" considering Batista is like 39 and so wont be able to carry any torch long term. And LOD? Please you are mocking the memory of Hawk, just as WWE is, by considering the not so dynamic duo of Heidenrich and Animal the Legion of Doom!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Who gives a Damn about the Past? well wwe doesnt and neither do i. I'm loving the current LOD, also how is it mocking the LOD Legacy, im pretty sure Animal himself said he wanted the LOD legacy to continue.

 

I just want 1 Reson to why some of you "Smarks" think Raw is the better show to watch.. and why the Raw superstars are better than the Smackdown superstars (LMFAO!!) biggest bull shit ever.

[Black Lushus 0]

dude, you really gotta work on being coherant...

[Guest P-Any]

Who gives a Damn about the Past? well wwe doesnt and neither do i. I'm loving the current LOD, also how is it mocking the LOD Legacy, im pretty sure Animal himself said he wanted the LOD legacy to continue.

 

I just want 1 Reson to why some of you "Smarks" think Raw is the better show to watch.. and why the Raw superstars are better than the Smackdown superstars (LMFAO!!) biggest bull shit ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Raw is better because they have wrestlers that have better mic skills and greater chrisma genrally then SD does. Now, in SD's defense and to a point you make earlier, WWE does consider RAW their flagship so they have a better writting team that works better with the wrestlers on RAW and also give better pushes to Raw stars. SD does have some talent and the crusier weight division was my favorite thing about the WWE, but now w/ the high flying moves being banned they have lost that edge.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

[Guest P-Any]

Who gives a Damn about the Past? well wwe doesnt and neither do i. I'm loving the current LOD, also how is it mocking the LOD Legacy, im pretty sure Animal himself said he wanted the LOD legacy to continue.

 

I just want 1 Reson to why some of you "Smarks" think Raw is the better show to watch.. and why the Raw superstars are better than the Smackdown superstars (LMFAO!!) biggest bull shit ever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Raw is better because they have wrestlers that have better mic skills and greater chrisma genrally then SD does. Now, in SD's defense and to a point you make earlier, WWE does consider RAW their flagship so they have a better writting team that works better with the wrestlers on RAW and also give better pushes to Raw stars. SD does have some talent and the crusier weight division was my favorite thing about the WWE, but now w/ the high flying moves being banned they have lost that edge.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

[Guest P-Any]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I don't think you will get 10 years out of him. Sooner or later, when the pyros all clear and the physic isn't quite as impressive, people are gonna realize Batista has no real in ring ability and they will give up on him.

[Black Lushus 0]

dude, you really gotta work on being coherant...

[Guest P-Any]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I don't think you will get 10 years out of him. Sooner or later, when the pyros all clear and the physic isn't quite as impressive, people are gonna realize Batista has no real in ring ability and they will give up on him.

[2GOLD 0]

Since the move to Friday, I forgot Smackdown was on the air. That's probably not what the WWE was hoping for. Plus when Sci-Fi Friday returns, I'd remember it but just wouldn't do much but watch it during commercials.

 

Last time I turned it on it was Cowboy Bob and his son....clicker went to a different channel pretty damn fast.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I don't think you will get 10 years out of him. Sooner or later, when the pyros all clear and the physic isn't quite as impressive, people are gonna realize Batista has no real in ring ability and they will give up on him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Forgive me if I don't take your opinion as the gospel. Batista is fresher than most of the guys in main events, and that is an advantage for him, regardless of his actual age (and besides Ric Flair won his first title at 32 years old, a mere 7 years younger).

[Guest P-Any]

Batista is younger than HHH and others in main event age. He CAN still carry the company for 10 years or so if he wanted/chose/was good enough to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I don't think you will get 10 years out of him. Sooner or later, when the pyros all clear and the physic isn't quite as impressive, people are gonna realize Batista has no real in ring ability and they will give up on him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Forgive me if I don't take your opinion as the gospel. Batista is fresher than most of the guys in main events, and that is an advantage for him, regardless of his actual age (and besides Ric Flair won his first title at 32 years old, a mere 7 years younger).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well we'll have to see.